RIVER BREAKS BANKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20599, 25 June 1930, Page 10

RIVER BREAKS BANKS.

WAITOA SEEKS NEW COURSE. FARM LAND FLOODED. CONTROL PROBLEM UNSETTLED. [B7 TELEGEAPH- —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AROHA, Tuesday. The overflowing of the Waitoa River through a break in its banks has again drawn attention to the problem of control of this important waterway. Sixteen years ago the Lands Department cleared the river of willows and snags, but since that timo the trees have grown again to such an extent that tho water is impeded and settlers along the banks are never quite free from anxiety of flooding in tho winter. When last approached, the then Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, told the representatives of tho four drainage boards that it was useless to request the Government to freo the river from willows or give any financial assistance until the boards amalgamated and appointed a river board. No progress has been possible in this direction owing to the opposition of three of the boards, which contend that members of an amalgamated board could not hope to efficiently servo the individual needs of such a large area. A break in the banks about Bffc. wide has now occurred on the farm of Messrs. Cox and about half tho volume of tho river flows at a depth of nearly sft. through the break, eventually finding its way via the zigzag outlet drain back to the fiver, about a mile and a-half lower down. The zigzag drain cannot now be seen, as tho water is several feet above the top of it and spreads out in a large lagoon. Where the water has broken away from its original course tho river is so choked that, although it is only at its summer level, the banks rise only a few inches above the water. By the gradual rising and flooding of the river in recent years Messrs. Cox have lost the use of 80 acres of their land.

A suggestion for blocking the gap was regarded as of little value by Mr. B. Horner, engineer to the Piako County Council, who said blocking would have only a, temporary effect. In the absence of improvements to tho river itself the ■water must sooner or later break through the banks again. It is estimated that 300 acres of land are affected by the recent change in the course of tho river.